GWYNETH PALTROW'S GUEST APARTMENT - BEFORE & AFTER

Cute window seat at Gwyneth Paltrow's new guest apartment at her Los Angeles mansion (above)

Last week, best of friend AT who lives in London sent me a link to actress Gwyneth Paltrow's style site Goop.  On Goop, there was a makeover of a guest apartment.  AT was sending me the link suggesting that I should do more makeovers on my blog.

Well, the minute I clicked on the link...I recognized the room...I had been in the room 2.5 years ago...one night at a glittery party...the opening night of a showcase home presented by Veranda magazine.

The room is in a gorgeous multimillion dollar home right in Brentwood.  I had attended a party there with my friend JD which resulted in a several blog posts with pictures I took.  See here for my House of Windsor photos and stories.

Anyhoo, about a year after I was at the party, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and her uber rock star husband Chris Martin bought it.

So the room was originally designed by Martyn Lawrence Bullard...it was a mod bachelor apartment above the garage...with black leather furniture, a bold fabric covering the walls...very retro.

Here is how Gwyneth and team made over the room into a cute guest apartment...in today's BEFORE & AFTER!

Coldplay rock star Chris Martin & his wife Gwyneth Paltrow at last night's Golden Globe Awards (above)

Gwyneth Paltrow & Chris Martin's $10 million dollar estate off of Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles. (above)

BEFORE (below)

BEFORE - For the show house, the apartment was decorated with a very retro vibe with black and green furniture choices that made the room heavy...walls also featured lots of art layered on top of the bold wallcovering...making the space a bit busy. (above)

DURING (below)

DURING - While trying to plan out a new space, all vestiges of the show house decor except for the bold wallpaper were removed.

AFTER (below)

AFTER - The once dark feeling space is transformed into a lovely bright guest apartment with a white bed, sitting area, desk and kitchenette. (above)

What do you think of this room makeover?  Do you have any photos of rooms you have transformed in your house...if so, please email pictures to me and maybe I'll show off your before and after.  My email is Nbaynadamas@Nbaynadamas.com!

A big huge thank you to AT for sharing the Goop story with me!  AT has fabulous ideas...always!

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S.  Nice weekend...TE took me out to dinner at Mr. Chow's on Saturday night.  We had a great time.  Sis DS was supposed to come but she had a cold.  Hope you feel better sis DS!

P.P.S.  TE had to work on Sunday...so as a good girlfriend...I watched his 49ers win against North Carolina. I spent the entire game texting him.  Oh I did leave to go get a tea at Starbucks and missed some of the key plays.  TE was texting but I was talking to a neighbor after getting my tea so I missed a chunk.  When I got back home, he started asking me via text which play I thought was better etc...I faked it for awhile but then had to fess up that as a good girlfriend, I had to have tea and chat with my neighbor during an important football play off game!  Do not feel sorry for TE...he watched most of the game himself... he had his team set up a huge t.v. with the game on it at the place where he was working...so he didn't miss much either!

P.P.P.S.  Best of friend AM and I are trying to figure out ways to drop holiday pounds with the least amount of pain and effort...we talked several times this weekend scheming...she at least is doing Soul Cycle 4 times a week...hmmmm....need to get on this!


Photos: Goop; Veranda

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AN BEFORE AND AFTER, guest house, guest room, Gwyneth Paltrow

NANTUCKET NATURAL - ISLAND OUTDOOR COLORS INISDE A SMALL BEACH COTTAGE!

Inside a Nantucket beach cottage! (above)

Remember when I told you last week that best of friend FF invited me to Nantucket again this year to hang out with her and her husband CCF and her son CGF (who also doubles as my god child) and the rest of her family for a weekend in July?  I regretfully had to decline due to work trips surrounding showing the Nbaynadamas furnishings collection in both Atlanta and New York.  Much regret was involved in declining the invite...much regret.  Oh, and I had also wanted to see the Nbaynadamas collection at the Lion's Paw on Main Street in Nantucket - that posh furnishings store is carrying the line.  Now I need to face reality though...am not going to Nantucket this summer...I am not going...(boo)...I am not going (it's okay)...I'm not going (I'll be fine)...I'm not going (chin up, lots to be grateful for)...I am not going (picking self up off the ground)...I am not going to Nantucket this summer (waaaaaaaaaaboooooooohoooooo).  Okay...I have had my meltdown...time to move on.  Sorry you had to witness that...LOL!

Well I can't be in Nantucket but I can still enjoy all things Nantucket.  Specifically, I am totally enjoying this lovely little cottage from talented interior designer Lynn Morgan who worked with Brooks & Falatico architects on the project.  This tiny renovated guest cottage is in the back of main house in the Wauwinet area of Nantucket.  It is oh so perfectly small with oh so wonderful views.  2 bedrooms, 1 bath and a view.  Perfect vacation spot.

In the design,  Lynn literally took the vibrant outdoor blues and greens and transported those hues right inside.  Lovely turquoise and apple green bursts of color against a white background!  The turquoise Moroccan poufs in the living room, the awesome Sea Bouquet-Bamboo fabric by Susan Harris for Lee Jofa fabric on the upholstered club chairs, right down to the glass dishware in the kitchen cabinets - all in tones of fresh blue and bright green brought right in from the outdoors.

Some things to note in this design...loving the glossy white lacquer floors in the main living spaces and the turquoise blue lacquer floor in the bedroom.  Also, note the design trick in the small kitchen...a mirror backsplash to give the illusion of making the space bigger!  Oh, and must love that over sized white sectional sofa that wraps around an entire corner of the living room....very nice...wouldn't mind throwing off my shoes there, grabbing a good book (if only I had time for a good book these days) and taking in a good look at the wonderful ocean view.

The ocean view from the window of the small renovated guest cottage in Nantucket! (above)

A deluxe Wolf range, near white Caesarstone counters, white cabinetry with open upper shelving, a white lacquered floor...all make the small kitchen in this Nantucket cottage look as spacious and inviting as can be. (above)

Notice the glimpse of the turquoise lacquer floor in the bedroom in the bottom left of this picture! (above)

A proper guest house must have a proper seating area on a lovely porch...check...this porch area with built in bench seating and teak outdoor furniture fits the bill! (above)

What do you think of this little Nantucket nest? Could you see yourself being a guest in this small home? What do you like? What might you add or subtract?  Do weigh in!

Thanks to Lynn and Calla from Lynn Morgan Design for sharing these photos!

Happy Monday!

xo
Coco

P.S. Nbaynadamas PRESS ALERT: The latest issue of Lonny Magazine is out! It is wall to wall gorgeous design and decor and it is quite fabulous!  To add wonderful to fabulous, Nbaynadamas home textiles collection (bedding, pillows and throws) is featured on page 38 of this July/August 2011 of Lonny! Yippeee. Woohooo! Hip hip hooray! Uh huh uh huh! Whoa! Wow! Yoohoooo! Can you tell I'm excited? Lonny is such an amazing shelter magazine...I am honored and thrilled to have my collection be on its pages. A huge thank you to Lonny Editor-in-Chief Michelle Adams for including me in the mix. Also, a warm thanks to Lonny's Senior Writer Shawn Gauthier for the nice write up and to Editorial Assistant Kari Costas for facilitating all. This latest Lonny issue just came out yesterday...it is awesome...pure eye candy for those of you who love a good interior design magazine read! Check it out!

P.P.S.  Nbaynadamas PRESS ALERT 2:  Quelle jour!  Just right now (11am PST) found out about more positive press that came out today.  What a day...counting my blessings as I write this...really.  So the latest news is that Nbaynadamas has been named in the Top 6 Sites for Interior Design Inspiration list on My Life Scoop.  My Life Scoop contributor Alice Yoo of My Modern Metropolis picked her top favorite design sites and Nbaynadamas was named #6 on the list of design blog giants!  Alice also calls me "mysterious" in her write up.  I love that!   Hope you have a good day too!


Photos: Lynn Morgan

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AN beach, beach chic, beach cottage, club chairs, coastal style, guest house, Nantucket, ocean front, ocean view, sectional sofa, small kitchen, white kitchen, white lacquer floors, white sofa

SEE THIS POOL HOUSE!

Adore this little stone pool house with interiors fashioned by renowned Atlanta designer Phoebe Howard. Could this little nest and poolside retreat be just as cute as any home. I think so.

The high beamed ceilings are amazing in the living room.  The wine barrel chandelier, the slate floors, diamond patterned tone on tone white rug and the cozy furnishings make the living space so inviting. The two toned counters in the kitchen and the pebble mosaic floor there are just darling...LOVE LOVE LOVE this little cottage!  Love the drapery choice...but could also see some Nbaynadamas Plaid Solid drapery panels working in this space too...I'll have to call Phoebe and see if she'll do a curtain switch out...clearly need Phoebe to use Nbaynadamas in her next pool house!!!

What do you think of this pool house?  Would any of you want to make this backyard retreat a home?  I would.

Happy Wednesday!

xo
Coco

Photos: Atlanta Homes Magazine

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AN guest house, Nbaynadamas, pool, pool house, SEE THIS HOUSE

SEE THIS HOUSE: A TRADITIONAL MANSION IN MAINE!

Photos provided courtesy of Peter Pennoyer Architects

Facade of a home on the Maine coast. (above)

I had to refrain from posting this house for about a month as I realized it would look like I am obsessed with the work of New York architect Peter Pennoyer. When I looked back through my archives, I realized that each month, at about the same time, I was posting an architectural wonder as designed by Peter Pennoyer Architects firm. There was no explanation for why once a month I was finding something from him that I wanted to post. Only explanation it seems is that I am indeed obsessed with Peter Pennoyer's architecture and design. So there. I've copped to it.

Now that we've got that admission aside...onto this grand home!


The home boasts a traditional East Coast waterfront exterior with gray shingle siding, black shutters and white trim (above)


A blue library with its arched windows, a fireplace and classic furnishings is the signature space in this home. The shade of blue reminds me of photos I took in Philadelphia's Independence Hall. (above)

Detail of carved woodwork on fireplace mantel. (above)

Guests in the home's dining room can enjoy the stunning view of the ocean from the demilune bay of windows.(above)

The wood carved and paneled main stairs and entry hall. (above)

An exposed beam angled ceiling and more carved woodwork on the railing of the second floor landing. (above)

The cozy fireplace seating area in an upstairs bedroom on the second floor. Room is painted a classic grey-blue with paneling trimmed in white. (above)


A stand alone porcelain tub sits in a arched nook in the master bath...with a magnificent view of the sea.(above)

A cream colored bedroom with a wood four poster bed. (above)

The sun porch! (above)


The guest house. (above)

Photos provided courtesy of Peter Pennoyer Architects

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AN architecture, bath and bathroom, bedroom, blue, dining room, exterior design, guest house, library, Nbaynadamas, SEE THIS HOUSE